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London City Airport Celebrates 26th Anniversary of Royal Opening

London City Airport [LCY] is celebrating 26 years in business this month. On 5 November 1987, Her Majesty The Queen officially opened the airport - the only airport actually in London.

In just over a quarter of a century the operation in London’s Royal Docks has gone from strength to strength, having seen more than 1 million flights and close to 40 million passengers go through the airport. Just three miles from Canary Wharf and seven miles from the City, it is now the first choice London airport for business travellers, who represent 60 per cent of total passengers using the airport.

LCY now serves 47 destinations across Europe, operated by 10 airlines, as well as a business-class only service to New York JFK.

Declan Collier, CEO at London City Airport said: “We are delighted to celebrate this milestone, particularly as this year has been such a momentous one for LCY. We are on track to see our highest ever passenger numbers, we have added eight new routes and have submitted an application for planning permission to develop our existing infrastructure to enable us to create 1,500 new jobs, welcome next generation aircraft and double passenger numbers by 2023. The future looks very exciting at LCY.”

The proposed development plan will see the airport add seven new aircraft parking stands, extend the existing taxilane to maximise use of the runway and develop the existing terminal buildings and add a new, dedicated arrivals facility. The terminal forecourt will be developed and there are plans for a new 250 room hotel. The plans would create 1,500 new full time jobs and additional 500 jobs during construction.

Editors note

London City Airport (LCY) is the only London airport situated in London itself, just three miles from Canary Wharf, seven miles from the City and 10 miles from London’s West End and linked to all via the Docklands Light Railway. Catering for over 3 million passengers and 70,000 movements annually, in 2012 LCY celebrated its millionth flight, 36 millionth passenger and 25 years of operation. LCY offers a unique rapid transit proposition – a short check in, door to lounge, and a shorter arrival, tarmac to train. 10 airlines fly out of LCY, serving 48 destinations, eight of which were new for 2012, with eight further announced in 2013. The airport has permission to increase its operation to 120,000 movements per annum, which it intends to do by 2023. Further information about the airport and its services can be by browsing our website